Villarreal coach Marcelino García Toral previewed the La Liga clash with Oviedo, a meeting that pits his experienced side against the blue-and-white squad in Oviedo’s first return to the top flight. The Asturian coach was asked whether the match would feel like a local derby, and he stressed that Oviedo has built a very strong trajectory since Paunovic took charge and that newly promoted teams can always spring surprising results.
We are facing a team that has had a tremendous run since Paunovic arrived and earned promotion. If they’re here, it’s because they have shown they deserve it, and I extend my congratulations for that, he said in the pre-match press conference. He added that every team in the division can surprise the opponent, so Villarreal must respect Oviedo’s identity while also recognizing what they can do on the field. Oviedo, he noted, is a solid unit that presses in multiple areas and attacks with width, with two finishing options up front.
Marcelino also spoke about Santi Cazorla, the veteran star of Oviedo, describing him as a special player and revealing he has a very good personal relationship with him from their time together at Recreativo. “To me, he’s one of the best players I’ve coached. I wish him all the best,” he said, before recalling a past visit to this stadium. “I hope he doesn’t do what he did when we came here with Recre, when we won 0-1 and he scored the goal.” He added that, while he feels a personal connection to Sporting, it doesn’t influence how he views the match against Oviedo; for him, playing Oviedo is just another obstacle in the league.
Looking ahead, Marcelino warned of a difficult game and said Villarreal will try to start strongly to give the fans a reason to celebrate. “The three competitions will demand a lot from us, and we want to show our best version in all of them and keep the fans happy,” he explained.
On the pre-season, he was satisfied overall despite some injury issues. “The main problems have been injuries, but otherwise it’s been a very good pre-season, against strong opponents. We competed head-to-head with champions from different leagues, and I’m grateful to the club for such a comprehensive plan,” he said, noting that he believes his side can win but will need to be precise in the key moments inside the box.
Marcelino acknowledged the injuries of Logan Costa and Willy Kambwala as a setback but insisted the squad has solutions. “We’re a little short at center-back, but we have four players who can operate as central defenders or as right-back, so we’ll manage,” he said.
On new arrivals, he pointed to Mouriño as a profile that fits Villarreal. “He’s adapted very quickly and well and can offer us a great performance,” he said, adding that players such as Pau Navarro, Juan Foyth, and Tajon Buchanan can provide an extra attacking option on the right wing.
In sum, Marcelino underscored a pragmatic approach: solid in defense, efficient in attack, and focused on delivering a positive start to the campaign for Villarreal while respecting Oviedo’s rising momentum. The encounter promises to be a nuanced test, balancing Villarreal’s experience with Oviedo’s momentum from promotion. If both sides execute their plans, fans can expect a competitive, entertaining opening match of the season. Positive note: the buildup suggests Villarreal will bring quality and organization to a fixture that could set the tone for an intriguing campaign.